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Rating: 
Summary: No thanks for these memories
Review: A book promising the "real story" of Bob Hope's rise from struggling vaudevillian to American comedy icon has a great deal to offer, but Lawrence Quirk's book fails to deliver on that promise. Among other things, the book is badly written as the author repeatedly goes off on tangents; One moment we're with Bob on Broadway, and then we're suddenly on the set of one of the "Road" pictures. Quirk seems to have an agenda with regard to sexual interests, suggesting that many stars thought to be completely heterosexual were, perhaps, not. However, these claims are attributed to no one and seem to be tossed in on a whim. A badly edited book (typos and contradictions about) I can think of nothing to recommend The Road Well-Traveled. I await the publication of a definitive Hope bio. I suspect that will come following the passing of the legendary comedian
Rating:
Summary: GARBAGE!!!!
Review: I had the grave misfortune of picking up a copy of Larry Quirk's "book" on Bob Hope a few days ago, and was simply blown away by the amount of garbage I've suddenly digested. Coming away from this book I wondered did Bob Hope really hated homosexuals, or is this volume truly about a homosexual author (Quirk) who just simply hates his subject because he made gay jokes---in the 1940's? Hack is too good of a description for Quirk.... sleaze bucket sounds just about right.....This book has been returned-----AVOID
Rating: 
Summary: Hope Bio Lays Egg!
Review: I'm not a fan of Bob Hope but his omnipresence in rado, TV, and films has made him a part of the cultural landscape for all of my life. And I have warm memories of his TV specials, especially the ones from military bases around the world. Also, I am interested in early 20th century popular culture (early films, vaudeville, radio, early TV). I was disappointed in this book, mainly because the author's focus is narrow, and it's tone is gossipy. It lacked perspective and depth. While a professional historian might have produced a deadly dull book, author Quirk could have broadened his scope to include Hope's role in the history of radio and early TV. Ironically, for all of the stories of the ego-centered scene-stealing Bob Hope, we never get any understanding of how the image of this privately generous performer meshes with Bob the monster. Quirk seems to have repeated stories, interviewsm etc. without comment, analysis, or follow-up. I found myself flipping though the last few pages just to get through it.
Rating:
Summary: GARBAGE!!!!
Review: Like many I am happy Mr. Hope made it to 100. Like many, I grew up watching his specials - like many I wanted to read more about this man. My mistake was getting this book. Naturally, it does cover his career; albeit, I think Mr. Quirk really couldn't find any true "dirt" so he implies alot. I think Mr. Quirk is more hung up on the homosexuals of the industry and how hard they had it that he makes out Mr. Hope to be some homophobe. Not a very good read, not really enjoyable. I do not find that I am a fan of Mr. Quirk's "writing" style. In all fairness he does make some interesting points, but they are not worth the read in what could have been a potentially good book.
Rating:
Summary: Does Quirk work for the Enquirer?
Review: Like many I am happy Mr. Hope made it to 100. Like many, I grew up watching his specials - like many I wanted to read more about this man. My mistake was getting this book. Naturally, it does cover his career; albeit, I think Mr. Quirk really couldn't find any true "dirt" so he implies alot. I think Mr. Quirk is more hung up on the homosexuals of the industry and how hard they had it that he makes out Mr. Hope to be some homophobe. Not a very good read, not really enjoyable. I do not find that I am a fan of Mr. Quirk's "writing" style. In all fairness he does make some interesting points, but they are not worth the read in what could have been a potentially good book.
Rating:
Summary: Pure "T" Trash!!!!
Review: Please don't waste a cent on this mess of a book. It's an absolute disgrace to the great talent of one of the world's finest entertainers *Bob Hope*. It was undoubtedly the most poorly written biography I've ever read, full of spelling errors and simple bad editing. One star was as low as I could go in this review.
Rating:
Summary: Bad
Review: This book seemed to have nothing to do with the life of Bob Hope. Quirk seems to have choosen a star who was connected to many people and then dug up every piece of gossip possible on them. The book has all of the bad things about Hope, the people surrounding Hope and the way Hope lived his life. Nothing is less satisfying than spending your money on a biography and getting a gossip column about stars and producers sexual preferences, which is probably the things most promintently described throughout the whole book. If you want to get the real, true biography about Bob Hope, by the A&E video biography, legions better.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but a bit heavy on the dirt.
Review: This books recounts Bob Hope's life from England to recent history, and through all phases of his career. If you thought Mr. Hope was always a wonderful Mr. Nice Guy, then this book will dispell that myth. According to the author, although talented and hard working, Hope has always been self centered, an opportunist, and a womanizer. Did I believe all of this? Some, but I am not so sure it was a balanced story. I felt the author painted Hope's life from a pallette of dark colors. There seem be more emphasis here on the bad things about him rather than the good. The author references a number of resources, but very little directly from family members. Minor note - the author has a rich vobaculary - so keep a dictionary handy. There are also a lot of typographical errors. Interesting reading, but take it with a grain of salt.
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